In 2005 the Weld County Commissioners funded the purchase of specialized diagnostic equipment to be placed on the ambulances which enable Paramedics to utilize 12-lead EKG equipment to assess patient conditions in the field.
Based on a Cardiac Alert Checklist established in a joint effort with North Colorado Medical Center and Weld County Paramedics, our paramedics are allowed to determine whether a patient is having an evolving ST Segment Elevation myocardial infarction thereby enabling the paramedics and hospital team to decide whether cardiac catheterization will benefit the patient.
From the ambulance, paramedics and hospital emergency services staff can implement a "Cardiac Alert" to notify cardiologists, cardiac catheterization lab staff members to be ready to treat the patient.
Upon arrival at the Emergency Department, the patient can be moved directly to the cardiac catheterization unit. Patients who are treated quickly by a catheterization procedure tend to have:
- Fewer complications.
- Less heart damage.
- Are less likely to suffer a related stroke.
Cardiovascular Conference: 2011
